The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Salah scores four goals, powers Liverpool to win
Mohamed Salah scored four goals and set up another in Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, cementing his status as the most prolific forward in Europe’s leading competitions.
The Egypt international’s first hat trick for Liverpool took his tally to 36 in his first season at the club, including 28 in the league.
Not far behind is Roberto Firmino, who marked the best scoring season of his career with his 23rd in all competitions against a Watford side which presented little challenge. It was an exquisite backheel from Salah’s cross.
The blizzard of goals in the snow marked a swift recovery from last weekend’s defeat at Manchester United. With third-place Tottenham playing in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday — beating Swansea 3-0 — Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool moved into third place.
Salah’s opener after four minutes was reminiscent of a Lionel Messi move.
Salah exchanged passes with Sadio Mane before chasing down the ball in the penalty area and setting off on one of those driving, jinking runs which inevitably leaves defenders on their behinds.
Miguel Britos was the unfortunate victim on this occasion, getting a worm’s eye view as Salah fired an angled shot past Orestis Karnezis to become the third Liverpool player to score at least 25 Premier League goals in a single season after Luis Suarez (2013-14) and Robbie Fowler (1995-96 and 1994-95).
WORLD CUP BID
Morocco says it will need to spend almost $16 billion to prepare to host the 2026 World Cup, with every proposed stadium and training ground built from scratch or renovated.
With less than three months until the FIFA vote, the north African nation on Saturday presented details of its proposal to take on the joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The North American bid plans to rely on existing infrastructure, including large NFL stadiums already hosting events.
When FIFA insiders score the bids, infrastructure — of which half relates to stadiums — will account for 70 percent of the panel’s mark. The remaining 30 percent is based on projected costs and revenues. A high-risk bid can be disqualified before the FIFA Congress votes on June 13.